Be a part of the action at the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship, the “Super Bowl” of our season. The nation’s best come together on August 22nd, Tuscaloosa, AL.

Tritons Aubrey Curtis, Mandy Axelson, Art Thompson, Julie Zickovich & Sherri Pearson recently qualified for the 2009 USA Triathlon National Championships at the Spring Meadow Triathlon. What’s the connection between the 2009 USAT National Championships, Team USA, and the 2010 World Championships in Budapest? If you’re pondering triathlon goals for this year and the years ahead, or just plain curious, here is the recent announcement and the qualification standards for Team USA and Worlds from USA Triathlon. For sure, Triton Molly Hayes has her eyes set on Tuscaloosa and Budapest.

TOP 18 IN TUSCALOOSA QUALIFY FOR BUDAPEST WORLDS
by Amanda Duke, USA Triathlon, July 17, 2009

The 2010 ITU Short Course (Olympic) Triathlon World Championships are set to take place on September 11-12th in Budapest, Hungary. USA Triathlon has announced the qualification information for Team USA. The top 18 per age group, rolling down to 25th place will earn a spot on the team for the World Championship in Budapest. For any additional questions about Team USA, email the Team USA coordinator at teamusa@usatriathlon.org or visit the Team USA website www.teamusatriathlon.org.

2010 SHORT COURSE (OLYMPIC DISTANCE) TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
There is one qualifying event for 2010 Short Course Triathlon World Championship in Budapest, Hungary on September 11-12, 2010.

2010 QUALIFICATION
1. The top 18 in each age group, rolling down to 25th place, will qualify for the 2010 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary (September 11-12)
2. Athletes must secure their 2010 Worlds slot by the date given by USA Triathlon.
3. Age group winners will have two weeks to secure their slot once USAT has contacted them via email. If the age group winner declines a Worlds slot, the roll down process will begin. The roll down process will be given a two week deadline from the deadline date of the age group winner.

PROCESS FOR ACCEPTING YOUR SLOT ON TEAM USA
1. Athletes must express their intent to be on Team USA during the awards ceremony at the National Age Group Championship by visiting the Team USA table during the awards ceremony. *Please note: By simply expressing your intent to be on Team USA, you have not officially accepted your slot on Team USA.
2. USAT will follow up with an email within a week of NAGC instructing automatic qualifiers on how to accept their slot, pay and register for Team USA. ** Athletes must go to the designated registration link provided in the email by the specified deadline to officially accept his/her slot on Team USA.
3. Roll down athletes will also be e-mailed and informed of their position on the roll down list. Any athlete who neglects to follow these instructions and does not meet the deadlines may face the consequences of losing his/her slot on Team USA.
4. If a qualified athlete does not receive an email (possibly due to spam protection or other technical difficulties), be sure to email Team USA at teamusa@usatriathlon.org or call 719.955.2674.
5.Once an athlete has registered, paid and received confirmation, he/she has officially accepted his/her slot on Team USA.